Cooling unit



Jan. 20, 1948.

D. L SPENDER COOLING UNIT Filed March 11, 1944 INVENTOR v flow/41.0 L JPE/VDER BY 7 2 Z ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 20, 1948 UNI-TED STATES PATENT OFFICE Donald L.v Spender, Waterbury, Conn., assignor to Scovill. Manufacturing Company, Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application March 151, 1944, Serial No. 526,110

17. Claims. (01. 257-2,63)

This invention relates to heat,- exchange devices or units. More particularly, the invention relates to devices or units of this kind employing an. assemblage of similar blades or vanes having, at opposed edges thereof interfltting flange portions, and. at least. one of. these flange portions: having male and female couplings for retaining the blades in. assembled relationship and also against longitudinal displacement at least in one d rection. The novel. features of the invention will be best understood from the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain, embodments. of the invention-are disclosed, and, in which the separate parts are designated suitable reference characters. ineach. of the views. and in which Fig. 1 is a side viewof one. form or unit which I employ, andi-ndicating, in dot. and dash lines one adaptation and use of the unit.

Fig. 2 isa partial section on the line 2-2 of Fig. l on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one blade or vane of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2, showing a part of another blade orva-ne coupled therewith.

Fig. 4- 1s.: aplan view of one endportion of a blade showing; the: outer flange and showin a modification.

Fig. 5 is a partial, section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, and alsoshowing, a sectional view of a part of an: adjacent. blade preparatory to assemblage oi twoblades;

Fi 6 is an view similar to Fig. 4, showing another form: of. construction.

Fig-7 is asection on the line; 'l-'lof Fig. 6'.

Fig. 8-1is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 6'. showing another modification.

Fig. 9 a sectionon the line. Sl-9 of Fig; 8.

Fig. 10 is aview similar to Fig. 4:, but showing the. full length of the blade. andv showing another modificatiom Fig, I]. is a section, on the line I I.--ll. ofifi'igz. 10 and Fig. 12: is a perspective. view of another modi'" fled: form. of. blade which I, emnlom.

The: several forms of. blades or vanes: for devicesor unitsofthe kind under. consideration: are applicable to devices or- .u-nitsof the type and kind disclosed in my prior application Serial Number 524,881, filed March 1,1944. of which this application is a continuation part.

The. present invention deals with the provision of means. on at least one oi the flanges ofeach blade of the device. or unit for coupling adjacent blades. to support the. blades in assembled relationship, and. also-to retain the assembled blades against longitudinal movement one upon the other in at least one direction.

While the invention is applicable to the construction of heat exchange devices or units generally speaking, in order to. illustrate one adaptation and use of the invention, the same has been applied to blades or vanes designed to produce in an assemblage thereof, a ring like tubular body or double Walled cylinder.

In Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive is shown one adaptation of the invention, and to illustrate one use, I have diagrammatically indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 1 an electric discharge device I5, such for example as a radio tube, and this device includes an anode portion l6 upon which the unit I1 is mounted. At I8 is also indicated in dot and dash lines an electric contact device which engages the periphery of the unit. I1.

In constructing the unit, a plurality of similar blades [9 are employed. One of these blades is shown complete in the perspective in 3, together with a part of an associated blade, asit would appear in the assemblage of the unit.

Each blade being of the same construction, the brief description of one will apply to all. The blade comprises an elongated body portion 29 terminating at side edges in flanges, one flange forming the inner Wall structure of the tubular unit l1, and the other the outer wall of said unit. The flange forming the inner wall comprising parts 2i and 22, the latter being offset outwardly with respect to the part 2|. In like manner, the flange forming the outer wall comprises parts 23 and 24, the part 24 being offset outwardly with respect to the part 23. The offsetting of the parts 22 and 24 form recesses on the outer surfaces of the parts 2! and 23 for receiving the parts 22 and 2d of adjacent blades or vanes. It will appear from a consideration of Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing that the flange parts 2| and 22 extend in the direction of one surface of the body 20, whereas the flange parts 23 and 24 extend in the direction of the opposite surface of thebody 20, and all of the flange parts are curved, as will clearly appear from a consideration of Fig. 2 of the draw- Insofar as described above, each blade I9 is substantially the same. as the structure disclosed in the prior application hereinbefore referred to. The structure in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive differs from the blade of the earlier application in providing means on the flange parts 23 and 24 for coupling said. parts. together first. to hold the blades in as- Sembled relationship, and secondly to maintain the blades against movement one upon the other longitudinally in at least one direction.

The flange part 24 of each blade is cut out centrally, as seen at 25, and from this cutout portion 'is formed an inturned flange 28 terminating at one side in an extending finger piece 21, thus forming of the flange 28 and finger piece 21, a hook shaped coupling adapted to be passed through an aperture 28 in the flange part 23 of an adjacent blade, the finger 21 extending beneath the end wall 29 f the aperture 28. end wall terminates in alinement with the end 30 of the ofiset flange 26, so that the aperture 28 is ofiset with respect to the cutout 25, thus in the assemblage of the blades, the blades will be coupled together, as seen in Fig. 3 0f the drawing by first passing the coupling member of one blade through the aperture 28 of an adjacent blade, in which position the lower blade, for example of Fig. 3, would be arranged slightly to the left of said figure, and then this blade is moved to the right, in which operation the finger 21 passes beneath the end wall 29 of the aperture 28.

The finger 2'! of the blade is so disposed with respect to the flange part 24 as to provide a firm engagement of the finger with the flange part 23, thus the flange part 24 will be supported firmly upon the outer surface of the flange part 23, The section in Fig. 2 is taken along the line of the fingers 21, and for this reason, the apertures 28 do not appear in the flange parts 23.

A unit constructed from blades of the type and kind disclosed in Fig. 3, in addition to providing a simple means for assembling the blades and interlocking assembled blades to form a unit, also have the practical advantage of facilitating assemblage of a complete unit upon the mounting. In other words, all of the blades to form a unit may be coupled together and interlocked in the manner shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, with the exception of two blades.

The entire unit thus assembled may be spread Wide open to pass over the anode or other support, and then the two uncoupled blades brought together with the unit completely enveloping the anode, and the final coupling made between the two end blades, thus producing a complete assemblage of the unit on the anode or other support. Any means may be provided to permanently retain the blades or vanes in their final assembled relationship. In some instances, two adjacent blades may always be maintained in condition for coupling and uncoupling so as to provide attachment and detachment of the unit with a support. On the other hand, two, three or more pairs of such blades may be left free for coupling and uncoupling to remove sectional portions of the complete unit. In all of such instances, the remainder of the blades may be soldered, brazed, welded or otherwise coupled together.

In Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing is illustrated a slight modification of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3. In Fig. 4 is shown the outer flange portion at One end of a blade, 3| represents a flange part similar to the part 23. In this construction a part 32 has at both ends inwardly directed hook shaped flanges 33 adapted to enter apertures 34 inthe part 3|. It will be apparent that the hook 33 will be extended in the same direction at both ends of the blade, and the apertures 34 accordingly positioned. Here again," the blades will be slightly offset with respect to each other in coupling one blade with an adjacent blade, the offsetting of the blades is illustrated This 4 in Fig. 5 of the drawing. In other words, the two blades are shown in the position ready for coupling. After the hook shaped flange 33 is passed through the aperture 34 of an adjacent blade, the blades are moved to bring the end edges in common alinement, as in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

In Figs. 6 and '7, flange parts 35 and 36 correspond to the flange parts 23, 24 and 3| and 32 respectively. In this construction, the ends of the flange parts 35 have apertures 31 similar to the apertures 34, whereas the parts 36 in alinement with the apertures 31 have indentures or beaded members 38 which are adapted to fit in the apertures 31. With this construction, the blades will be more or less snapped one into the other in the assemblage, and when completely assembled, the blades will be held against longitudinally shifting in both directions, It will be apparent that the structures as shown, for example, in Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive may be employed at ends of blades such as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, so as to have the benefit of both principles of coupling. In this connection, it will, of course, be understood that the flanges will have sufiicient springing properties to allow the projections as at 38 and 39 to snap into the respective apertures when the blades reach their fully assembled position. It will further be understood that where it may be desirable to couple the ends of the flanges of the blades of Fig. 3, the additional couplings as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 may be employed, in which event, the engagement of the hooks 33 with the recesses 34 will correspond to the center couplings of the blades, as shown in Fig. 3.

In Figs. 8 and 9 is'shown a slight modification over the structure shown in Figs. 6 and 7, wherein round knobs or studs 39 are employed instead of elongated rounded beads 38 and round apertures 40 will be employed instead of the elongated apertures 31, otherwise the structure of Figs. 8 and 9 will be the same as that of Figs. 6 and 7.

In Figs. 10 and 11, 4| represents the flange part of a blade 42 similar to the flange parts 23, 3| and 35, whereas 43 shows the flange part similar to the parts 24, 32 and 36. In this construction, the flange part 4| has two elongated apertures 44 adapted to receive elongated indentures or beads 45 formed in the parts 43, and of such length as to fit freely but snugly in the apertures 44 of the part 4| of an adjacent blade.

In Fig. 12 of the drawing is shown another form of blade 43 having outer flange parts 41 and 48 similar to the parts 23 and 24, and other like parts of the other illustrations. With this construction, the ends of the flange part 4'! have notches or apertures 49 which open outwardly through the ends of the blade adjacent the flange parts 48, and the flange parts 48 have at their ends inturned lip members 58 which are offset inwardly sufficiently to engage the apertures 49 so as to couple adjacent blades against separation and also longitudinal dis lacement.

In some instances. the lips 59 may actually be turned inwardly sufliciently to provide a permanent coupling with an adjacent blade. and this permanent coupling may be provided throughout all of the blades or units, or as stated with the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, certain blades may be left in a position similar to that shown in Fig. 12, which would facilitate uncoupling of adjacent blades, granting that no other means would be employed to provide the necessary flexure of adjacent blades to facilitate this uncoupling. However, the structure of Fig.

12' is" intended. primarilyfor" producing unit's where a more; positive coupling between the blades" of the unit iss providedi The? lips: 511. are turnedinwardly: afterassembl'age of: the blades;

In order to-simpl-ify the;present illustration; the coupling and'interlocking between the blades has been restricte'd to the outer flange portions. It will be apparent; however, that: means may also be provided for securing or coupling the inner flange portionsof'a cylindrical or: tubular unit; Furthermore, inv constructing units: of-oth'er shapes-and contours, both; side flange: portions may be ofcomnron construction or substantially In all of the' units constructed" from: blades of thekind under consideration, thebodyportionsof' the blades will divide the unit into a-pluralit of circulating passagesthrough whichitlie desired medium may be circulated. For example, in devices of' the kind illustratedinFi'g. I of the draw ing, here a fan or blower may circulate air through the passages-for purposes of cooling the anode.

With the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 3'inclusive, as an example; the-members 26 including their pin likeends 21" forma' more'or less'pivotal or hinge like coupling between adjacent blades which will facilitate the wide' spreadingofa unit for assemblage around a support, maintaining all but two of the blades in' assembledrelationship to each other; the last two blades may be coupled together as heretofore explained in bringing the unit into the final assemblage.- In other words, in the open or'fieXed position of the'unit; it wouldresemblea flexible split tube or sleeve with the several blades having their hinged coupling. This swinging or pivotal movement is-slight between adjacent blades, butin a large numberof blades; will be-suflioient' to expand aunit to the point of enveloping the anode is; as illustrated in Fig; 1 ofthe drawing: Where a very tight" or wedge like engagement is' provided between hook shaped couplings 261' of adjacent blades, this swinging movement will be substantiallychecked, and in such instances, the unit'may'be assembled in halves, thirds or quarters, as mentioned-before.

As before stated, other'types-of*units may -be constructed, and in some suchuses; the blades may be considered as plates or'partitions-of-the unit; In all cases; however, a=plurality of similar or substantially similar blade or-plate members are employed 'which'have integral meansfor cou. pling the same and also for'forming; spacing and supporting walls of theunit. With this construc tion, a readily knockdown unit isprovidedwherein all of the members may beseparated, or assembled sections of said members employed.

Having fully described my invention; what" I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1'. A cooling-"unitforelectric discharged'evices of the cl'a'ss' described. saidnnit'comprisinga plinrality-=ofsirniIa-r blades; eachtbiade having a' pro: jecting'flangeat'side portionsthereof'; thefianges on common sides ofassembled blades'collectively' 6 tudinalimovementz one upon: theother i'matzleast one-direction.

23 A cooling'unit for, electric discharge' devices of the classdescribed, saidiunit comprising aiplusrality ofi similar blades, each blade havingiavproj ecting flangea-t. side portions thereof, the, flanges oil common sides: of assembled blades collectively forming inner; and outer tubular walls on, said unit, the blades having body portions extending radially: between and spacing saidinnerand outer blade.

3. A cooling unit for electric discharge'devices of the class described, said unit comprisinga plurality of similar blades, each blade havinga pro jecting flange at side portions thereof, the flanges on common sides of assembled blades collectively forming inner and outer tubular walls on said unit, the blades having bodyportions extending radially between and spacing said inner and outer walls; the flanges of said blades spacing the body portions thereof to form circulating passages extending longitudinally through the unit, the flanges of one wall of'said unit overlapping, interengaging means on overlapped portions of said flanges for coupling adjacent blades togetherand for retaining the blades against longitudinal movement one upon the other in at least one direction, said means comprisingprojecting'members formed from the flange of one blade entering cutout portions in the flange of an adjacent blade, and saidmembers being hook shaped in form.

4. A cooling unit for electric discharge devices of? theclass described, said unit comprising a plurality of similar blades, each blade having a projecting flange at side portions thereof, the flanges err-common sides of assembled blades collectively forming inner and outer tubular wallson said unit, the blades having body portions extending radially between and spacing said inner and outer walls, the flanges of said blades spacing the body portions thereof to form circulating passages extending longitudinally through the unit, the flanges of One wall of said unit overlapping; interengaging means on overlapped portions-of said flanges for detachably coupling adjacent blades and forretaining the blades against longitudinal movement one upon the other in at least-one direction, said means comprising interfltting male and female 'portionson the flange ofeach blade, and the male portion of the flange of one blade being adapted toengage the female portion of the flange of an adjacent blade.

5. A cooling unit for'electri'c discharge devices of the. class described; said unit comprising a plurality of similar blades, each blade havinga projecting flange at side'portions thereof, the flanges on common sides ofassembled blades collectively forming inner and outertubular walls on said unit, the blades having body portions extending radially between and spacing said innerand outer walls; the flanges of said blades spacing the body portionsthereof to form circulating passages extendinglongitudinally through the unit, the flanges of one wall of said unit overlapping, in-

7 terengaging means on overlapped portions of said flanges for detachably coupling adjacent blades together and for retaining the blades against longitudinal movement one upon the other in at least one direction, said means comprising interfitting male and female portions on the flange of each blade, the male portion of the flange of one blade being adapted to engage the female portion of the flange of an adjacent blade, and said male and female portions being disposed at end portions of said blades.

6. A unit of the class described, said unit comprising a plurality of similar plates, each plate having a projecting flange at side portions thereof, the flanges on common sides of assembled plates collectively forming spaced walls joined by the body portion of the plates intermediate said flanges, said flanges spacing the plates one from the other in forming passages extending longitudinally through said unit, the flanges forming at least one wall of said unit having detachably coupled male and female couplings supporting the plates against separation and also retaining the plates against longitudinal movement one upon the other in at least one direction.

7. A blade for producing units of the class described by the assemblage of a plurality of such blades, said blade comprising a body portion of predetermined length and width, opposed side edges of said body portion having angularly projecting flanges extending longitudinally of said side edges, one of the flanges of said blade having a projecting coupling member, and said flange adjacent said member having an aperture adapted to receive the coupling member on the flange of an adjacent blade in the assemblage of the blades to form a unit.

8. A blade for producing units of the class described by the assemblage of a plurality of such blades, said blade comprising a body portion of predetermined length and width, opposed side edges of said body portion having angularly projecting flanges extending longitudinally of said side edges, one of the flanges of said blade comprising a part arranged adjacent the body portion of the blade and an outer ofiset part, the first named part of the flange having a recess, and the other part a projection extending angularly to said part and adapted to enter the recess in the first part of a companion blade in the assemblage of a unit.

9. A blade for producing units of the class described by the assemblage of a plurality of such biades, said blade comprising a body portion of predetermined length and Width, opposed side edges of said body portion having angularly projecting flanges extending longitudinally of said side edges, one of the flanges of said blade comprising a part arranged adjacent the body portion of the blade and an outer offset part, the first named part of the flange having a recess, the other part a projection adapted to enter the recess in the flange part of a companion blade in the assemblage of a unit, and said projection being hook shaped in form.

10. A blad for producing units of the class described by the assemblage of a plurality of such blades, said blade comprising a body por tion of predetermined length and width, opposed side edges of said body portion having angularly projecting flanges extending longitudinally of said side edges, one of the flanges of said blade comprising a part arranged adjacent the body portion of the blade and an outer off- 8 set part, the first named part of the flange having a recess, the other part a projection adapted to enter the recess in the flange part of a companion blade in the assemblage of a unit, and said projection comprising a bead formed from the material of said outer flange part.

11. A blade for producing units of the class described by the assemblage of a plurality of such blades, said blade comprising a body portion of predetermined length and width, opposed side edges of said body portion having angularly projecting flanges extending longitudinally of said side edges, one of the flanges of said blade comprising a part arranged adjacent the body portion of the blade and an outer offset part, the first named part of the flange having a recess, the other part a projection ex tending angularly to said part and adapted to enter the recess in the first part of a companion blade in the assemblage of a unit, and said projection comprising a member extending longitudinally of the outer flange part.

12. A blade for producing units of the class described by the assemblage of a plurality of such blades, said blade comprising a body portion of predetermined length and width, opposed side edges of said body portion having angularly projecting flanges extending longitudinally cf said side edges, one of the flanges of said blade comprising a part arranged adjacent the body portion of the blade and an outer oflset part, the first named part of the flang having apertures at end portions thereof, and the other offset part of the flange having at the end portions thereof projecting members adapted to enter the apertures in the first named flange part of an adjacent blade in assembling the blades to form said unit.

13. An article of manufacture of the class described, comprising a body of sheet material, side portions of said body having angularly extending integral flanges, and at least one of said flanges having an integral offset hook shaped coupling member formed of the material of said flange and extending angularly to one surface thereof.

14. A unit of the class described, said unit comprising a plurality of similar blades, each blade having a projecting flange at side portions thereof, the flange at one side extending in a direction opposite the flange at the other side, the flanges on common sides of assembled blades collectively forming spaced walls joined by the body portion of the blades intermediate said flanges, said flanges spacing the body portion of the blades one from the other in forming circulating passages extending longitudinally through said unit, means detachably coupling adjacent blades of said unit to provide relative swinging movement of assembled blades, and said means comprising male and femalecouplings extending longitudinally of said flangeproviding separation of two adjacent blades by a relatively longitudinal movement of the flanges thereof sufiicient to disengage male and female couplings, while maintaining the remainder of the blades of a unit assembled in coupled relationship to each other by said means.

15. A unit of the class described, said unit comprising a plurality of similar blades, each blade having a projecting flange at side portions thereof, the flange at one side extending in a direction opposite the flange at the other side, the flanges on common sides of assembled blades collectively forming spaced walls joined by the body portion of the blades intermediate said flanges, said flanges having interfitting and overlapping portions spacing the blades one from the other in forming passages extending longitudinally through said unit, said unit comprising sections, each section comprising a plurality of assembled blades, and detachably coupled means on the flanges of the overlapped portions adjacent end blades of said sections for coupling and uncoupling said blades by relative movement of the flanges thereof sufiiclent to engage and disengage said couplings and for retaining the blades of the sections against longitudinal movement one upon the other in at least one direction.

16. The combination with a tubular unit of the class described, comprising a plurality of blades having oppositely directed side flanges forming on the resulting unit inner and outer tubular Walls spaced apart by body portions of said blades and with one of said walls formed by overlapping and interfitting portions of said flanges, of means on the overlapping and interfitting portions of the flanges of said Wall for coupling adjacent blades in supporting the blades in unit assemblage, and said means on the flanges of at least part of the blades providing coupling and uncoupling of the blades by relative longitudinal movement of the flanges sufiicient to engage and disengage said coupling means.

17. The combination with a tubular unit of the class described, comprising a, plurality of blades having oppositely directed side flanges forming on the resulting unit inner and outer tubular walls spaced apart by body portions of said blades and with one of said walls formed by overlapping and interfitting portions of said flanges, of means on the overlapping and interfitting portions of the flanges of said Wall for coupling adjacent blades in supporting the blades in unit assemblage, said means on the flanges of at least part of the blades providing coupling and uncoupling of the blades by relative longitudinal movement of the flanges sufiicient to engage and disengage said coupling means, and also retaining said blades against longitudinal movement one upon the other in at least one direction.

DONALD L. SPENDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,341,752 West Feb. 15, 1944 2,289,984 Mouromtseff et al. July 14, 1942 2,176,657 Finch Oct. 17, 1939 2,336,231 Dodge Dec. 7, 1943 1,950,112 Jacocks Mar. 6, 1934 2,314,089 Hess et a1 Mar. 16, 1943 1,842,736 Stout Jan. 26, 1932 

